WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1998: Re: C-section caused by shortsightness

Re: C-section caused by shortsightness

From: K.Tice (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 20 May 1998 06:49:43 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Simone: "C-section caused by shortsightness"

You and other readers may not appreciate my commenting at all, especially as I know nothing about the risk or retinal detachment during natural childbirth, but I am going to give you my personal opinion/advice anyway. Natural childbirth is a huge physical stress and risk to any woman regardless of wether she has any physical condition that puts her at higher risk or not and a caesarean birth also carries with it risks - due to the abdominal surgery involved. In my opinion (and please discuss this with your OB before making your choice) if you are at any risk of causing damage to your eye, than the choice should be a simple one to make - a caesarean! I feel that if you a in good health, a caesarean would be the least stressful for both you and baby. I experienced 15 hours labour with my first child followed by a caesarean as a result of the position (occipito posterior) that baby came down in. I was clearly informed by my OB that there was no reason I could not have a natural birth if and when I chose to have a second child. When I fell pregnant with my second child in December 1996, I educated myself in every way possible on the two options available to me and the pros and cons of each of those options- option 1: natural childbirth and option 2: elect for a c-section. I read postings on the internet, spoke with Obstetricians, midwives and women with experience in both areas. The facts were very clear:-natural childbirth, as important and meaningful it is to most women carries with it the risk of physical, possibly severe damage to your body. You are at risk of uterine rupture, an episiotomy or tear, forceps/ventouse delivery of the baby, and after giving birth face the liklihood of future bladder control problems due to stretching of muscles. With a caesarean you also face alot of risks - for me both times I could not have been happier with the outsomes of my caesareans. My girls are only 2 yrs and 3 months apart in age (born May 95 and Aug 97) and the noticable improvments that have been made to caesareans is unbelievable. I got up and walked around as normal less than 16 hours after giving borth to my second child. I was heavily medicated but fully alert - and able to feel free of any pain or discomfort. I breast fed without problems and was very very happy. For me I was relieved that I did not have to endure natural labor, or risk what I feared most - an episiotomy. Any woman who says a caesarean birth is not as emotional and meaningful as a natural birth is lying! I kept my sanity, did not have to suffer like an animal, and was fully involved (my husband was there with me - I was awake under epidural) in the entire birth process. The most wonderful moment is when as in a natural birth - your child is placed in your arms to hold for the very first time.

Sorry if i have gone on about h\things that perhaps were not relevant to your question, but please remember one things - In the end - the decision is yours. Collect information and educate yourself on what is best for you and your child.

K. Tice

At Mon, 11 May 1998, Simone wrote: >
>Dear Doctors!
>
>I am pregnant (37th week). My gynecologist said that I have to make a
>C-section, because I am very shortsighted (10 dioptry).
>The problem is that the retina of eye would be able to dissolve itself
>during the bearing-down pains and/or that my baby (if the birth is too
>hard for me) would have to come with tie or sucking bell to the world.
>
>I also visited a eye-doctor to control my retina and he said that in the
>moment everything is o.k.
>
>It interests me how high the risk of a retinal detachment is at a
>natural birth?
>
>I´m looking forward for an answer
>
>Thanks, Simone

Next message: Ana: "Re: Pregnancy Confirmation"
Previous message: karin: "rectal/cervical pain"
In reply to: Simone: "C-section caused by shortsightness"

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